Binary switch key



Jan. 19, 1965 E. c. BEAN ETAL BINARY SWITCH KEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1951 INVENTOR EDWARD c. BEAN )YRU J. CREVELI NG BY %4 ATTORNEY],=

Jan. 19, 1965 E. c. BEAN ETAL 3,166,647

BINARY SWITCH KEY Filed Nov. 29, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3O 0 o 040 o o o 0 o 0 o 4 o--o--o o o o o o o L 1 o o o o o o o o o I1E=E 49 48 u g: I

Wlliarl 1 III/Amway,

INVENTORS EDWAR D c. BEAN WdR/EVEUNG 316% ATTORNEYj United States Patent VII ' 3,166,647 BINARY swrrcn KEY Edward C. Bean, Washington, D.C., and Cyrus J. Creveling, Oxon' Hill, Md., assignors to the United Statesof America as represented byv the Secretary of the Navy .Filed Nov. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 155,874

6 Claims. (Cl. 200-46)' (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) I The invention described hereinmay be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America forgovernmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. I

This invention relates in general to a device for setting a switch circuit and more particularly to a lightweight portable coding key whose code pattern can be easily and rapidly changed. I 6 a 1 Today there exist many applications for transferring information contained in a programmed code to an' electrical circuit. Where, space and weight are a practical limitation, such as in IFl-Tapparatus, usually a manually FIG. 2.

3,166,647 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 "ice Referring now to the drawings, the code key switch I setting device is generally shown by reference numeral 10. In FIG. 1 the code key 10 is shown resting upon key platen 12 which acts as a holding and positioning plate when code key .10 is being set. 'The key platen 12 is equipped with corner-tabs Hand 15 located at each I end of the platen to simplify positioning and holding a I to code key 10 which in turn is used for operated code'key is; employed for, setting switch circuits,

which in turn determines which electrical circuits are to operate and which are not to operate. Often it becomes necessary to change the code pattern and in turn to change the code pattern simultaneously at many remote and widely scattered 1ocati0ns.;, Such code changes: are performed by operational personnel at the respective locamachine punched card 16. An extraction notch 17 has been milled'in the top edge of the platen to expedite removal of the card. As hereinafter described the punched card 16 is u'sed'to transfer its information code pattern I setting an elecitrical circuit.

The code key (FIG. 3) consists of a plurality-of key pins18 mounted within holes 19 of a storage block 22.

The block provides separate holes for individually guiding each key pin. Any number of key' pins may be used and in this embodiment as many as 540 key pins have been tion andawhile present apparatus has been adequate a 6 more reliable system is needed in order to remove the human factor in setting ,up an information pattern in a code key and to performfsuch changes, rapidly and, with: ease. .Prior methods were ,further limited by the time consumed in resetting a coded key and if security pro tection were desirable adequate safeguards must be provided, further affecting the operational, reliabilityof thesystem. II

Withthese considerations in mind, itjis art-object of this invention to provide. a portable code' key that will remove the human factor in setting up a code actuatingza switching network;

It is a further object ,of this invention to provide a pattern .for

self employed. Each pin-is capable of being tension-loaded by a .spring 20. Surrounding the storage block 22 is a spring-loaded retractable skirt .24 havingv openings 25 for pins 18, which mechanically protects the key pins from damage when fully extended anda cover housing plate 26 overlapping the skirt 24. As can best be seen in FIG.

4, the ,cover is attached directly to the storage block 22.

by screws 28 while the skirt 24 isattached toa skirtre tainer plate 29. by screws 30. 'The skirt retainer plate moves, vertically up and down with respect to cover 26 over a spring-loaded guide post 32. Whenevena downward force is applied to theKcover housing plate 26Tthe retainer plate 29 and the attached skirt 24 will move:

- vertically upward, compressing spring 36 and occupying contained security and.. protectivecode key device for 1 switch setting which is capable of resetting with ease within a matter. of seconds. Y

It is'another object of this invention to provide a code key settingdevice wherein the code pattern can be instantaneously destroyed yet capable of being used in close quarters 1 and which will substantially remove the human. factor in transposing the information from a master code to an electrical circuit. a 1

' .It-is yet another. object of this invention. to provide a portable self contained code key that is small and compact whose code can be neutralized or reset rapidly andwith extreme ease, within a minimum of time; I -'It is ;still a further object of'this'invention to improve operational reliability of a -coded key switch setting device while'still being capable-of using presently existing,

equipment.

'- The code keyof this invention is a portable self icon- 60 tainedswitch setting device employing spring loaded key pins, protected by a retractableskirtand a positive locking plate for securing the pins in either anyextended -orr e-' tracted' position, which can be instantaneously neutralized and reset with ease within a matter-pf seconds while at the same time removing the human Lfactor which is nor- I mally incurred in suchcode information pattern, changes. I

1 Other objects and features of this; invention willbec'ome apparent to those skilled in the; art as. the disclosure is made in thejfollowing detailed description -of a preferred embodiment of'the'invention as illustratediri thelaccom.

panying sheets of drawings in which: i

space 38; The pins 18 will then extend below the base- 34 of skirt 24 through openings 25. r

The key is alsoprovided with .a handle 3 through the center portion of the code key providing a key =pull downfunction withthe first 127 of rotation of the shaft 42 and a switch locking function with the next 90 of rotation of the shaft. The rotation of the shaft'is limited by an upstanding pin 46 and a travel pin 45." The handle 40 is attached to a 'detented hub: 47 extending above, cover 26 by'a1 retaining plate 48. The hub is a separate unit as shown at point 51 and. is' connected to the shaft 42by a roll pin 55; In order to prevent damage tothe switch being set, such as if jamming should occur' in the switch itself, an adjustable slip clutch is provided- "within the handle 40 comprising a detent ball 48 which is compressed against thecover hub 47 by a spring 49. and

an adjustable screw 50; Thescrewdriver type end 53 of shaft 42 comprises a double female threaded end and .is

employed'for locking the code key to the switch being set;

When the shaft '42 is rotated it becomes 's'pringloaded by a spring 52. connecting travelpin 45 and limiting pin 46. The :code key as shown in the embodiment consists of 192'spring-1oaded key pins confined between a key plate 54 and the storage block-22-- that are separated by four.

spacers 56. The spacers allowa' lock plate 58 to slide between the, key plate 54'and storage block 22.-1The slid-1 I ing actionscauses the key pins 18 to b'ecome lockedini' either an extended or'r etract edposit i'on depending upon; "theinformation pattern forwhich the code key is-being" set; The-lock plate is spring loaded by a spring 59 lo- I '40 which operates a dualpurpose shaft 42 (FIG. 3) which passes undesirable movement of lock plate 58.

- and to be retracted where no holes are found.

the lock plate. 7

retracted and extended key pins that determines-whether,

cated between a spring stop plate 44'and lock plate 58. In the extremity of its travel, the lock plate 58 is retained by a spring-loaded neutralizing button 60 and its locking pawl 61 which looks into depression 62'and will remain locked until the spring-loaded catch is depressed releasing pawl 61 from depression 62. In FIG. 4 the spacers 56 are shown surrounding screws 64 which attach key plate 54 to storage block 22 and in this manner can be used as both a vertical and lateral guide in counteracting any Covering the release button 60- is aprotection button cover 66. spring? 1 hinged 'at 68 toa cover mounting bracket 7 0.

What is claimed is:

1. A code key for providing an information code pattern for a switching network comprising, a plurality of key pins, block means for individually storing each pin, said pins normally extending externally of said block and mounted for retractable movement into the block, cover means attached to said block for partially housing said In the operation of the code key, a coded data card 16 is inserted inthe key platen 12, as shown in FIG. 1 and the key pins 18 are set inthe code key to match the holes punched in the data card. Then, with the code key in hand, the neutralizing button is depressed to assure that each sidejof the shaft hole so that the key can be easily and accurately positioned on platen 12.- The handle of the key is then turned through approximately an. arc of 130, pulling the key to the platen while at the same time locking the key to the platen. Cover 26 is pulled down towards the platen and the retractable key skirt 24,

whereby turning handle 40 the key .rises vertically due to the movement of skirt retainer plate 29. This causes block, retractable skirt means partially surrounding said block storing means and extending between said cover means and said block storing means, shaft means extending through said. block storing means and said retractable skirt means, rotatable handle means mounted above said cover means and causingsaid shaft to rotate, means slidable in said block storage means for locking said key pins in either a retracted or extended position, means in said block for neutralizingsaid locking means, and means extending downwardly from said block means for positioning said key with respect to a switch network.

the key'pins to extendthrough the card where holes exist In this position theforward end of'thelockplate 58 is pressed, causing pawl 61 to rise'into the depression 62 and looking all .the key pins in their respective extended or retracted positions. The handle is then turned through approximately another 90 arc, detaching the code key from key platen 12 while the key skirt returns to its initial position. Thus, a complex information pattern has been set in the key within the time it takes to pick up the code key, place it on the platen and turn the handle less than three-quarters of aturn.* I v .When the key pins are being set in thekey, and where no holes exist in the data card, the card will cause the key pins to. be moved upwardly sufficiently far so as to cause a collar 76 to rise above the lock plate 58. Whenlock plate 58 is actuated the collars become confined above the lock plate while the collars'for the key pins 2. In a device for setting a switching network, the combination of, a plurality of movable key pins, a plurality of springs, a separate spring surrounding each key pin, a storageblock for holding each keypin for movement therein, said block being provided 'with separate spaces foreach key pin and spring, a portion of said key pins initially extending' externally of said storage block, a housing cover attached tosaid storage block and surrounding the upper part of said storage block,- a movable skirt cover surrounding the portion of said key pi ns that are external of said storage block and surrounding the lower part of said storage block while extending between the storage block and the portion of said housing cover that surrounds said storage block, individual openings in that have become settled in an opening are-confined below i It is the difference in length between'the or not a pin will set the switch.

[The code key isnow inserted in-a switching circuit in the same manner as it is inserted in platen 12. By turning the handle,.the screwdriver type end 53 pulls the key to theswitch, locks the key pin setting into the'switch, thereby setting the switchingnetwork. If the handle isrOtated further the key is unlockedand released from the switch-f ing network. The code key could then be neutralizedf' by pressing release button 60 allowing all the keypins to return to their initial position. The code key could also be retained indefinitely with its present'inforrnation pattern'without fearof losing i-tor accidently changing it because the retractable-skirts 22 will be lowered to aposi tion below the key pins 18 due to the spring-tension loadfor example, it was inadvertently dropped.

. Obviously many modification arid variations of the pres- It is therefore to be understood .thatwitliin the ticed otherwise than asispecifically described. 1.

said 'skirt'for each keypin that extends externally of said storage block, a dual purpose shaft extending through the housing cover, the storage blockan-d the movable skirt, a

rotatable handle having an adjustable slip-clutch and se-' cured to said dual purpose shaft, and a locking'plate having individual openings for each key pin and spring mounted between said storage block and said movable skirt cover for movement normal to said key pins, where by upon movement of said locking plate to an actuated position said keypins are secured termined positions.

3. In the device as set; forth in claim 2 wherein said dual purpose shaft end, p

4.. 'A code key for setting a switch matrix comprising,

is provided with a'screwdriver type a storage block, a'plurality of spring-loaded key pins block, a'dual purpose shaft extending through said housing cover, said storage block and said key skirt, a locking plate movably 'mounted between said-key skirt and said storage block for locking said key'pins in selective relative positions to said storage block, and'means for rotating said dual purpose shaft.

5. A- code key a set forth. inflclairn4 wherein said meansfor rotating said dual purpose shaft is'provided' with an adjustable slip-clutch and dowel pin means on sa1d storage block for positioning said codeflkey with re spect to the switch matrix'being set.

6.:A code key'for receiving a code pattern and transferr ing saidcode patternto a switching network comeat invention are possible in the light of the above tea'ch-. ings. v p I scope of theapperided claims the invention may be P1363;

prising: V I,

a plurality of, key pins, (b) a storage block having; a plurality of vertically extending openings therein, saidopenings receiving one eachof saidkey pins} (c) spring'means' mountingsaidfkey pins for'movemerit-in said openings and urging said pins to a posii tion inwhich a portion of said pins extends externally 275 Y in an array of prede- (d) a key cover skirt mounted on said storage block for movement toward and away from said block in response to external forces thereon, said key cover shielding said extended portion of said key pins and having a plurality ofopenings therethrough concentric with said openings in said storage block,

(e) a locking plate movable between an active and inactive position mounted between said storage block and said key cover skirt, said locking plate being urged to an inactive positon and being provided with a plurality of openings therethrough concentric with the openings in said storage block and said key cover skirt, and

(f) means on said storage block for drawing said storage block toward a data display whereby said key cover skirt will be moved toward said storage block, and certain of said key pins will be moved in opposition to the urging of said spring means thereby permitting said key pins to be locked in selected positions upon movement of said locking plate from an inactive to an active positiion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner. 

4. A CODE KEY FOR SETTING A SWITCH MATRIX COMPRISING, A STORAGE BLOCK, A PLURALITY OF SPRING-LOADED KEY PINS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT WITHIN AND PARTIALLY EXTENDING EXTERNALLY OF SAID STORAGE BLOCK, A HOUSING COVER ATTACHED TO SAID STORAGE BLOCK, A KEY SKIRT COVERING THE EXTENDED PORTION OF SAID PARTIALLY EXTERNALLY EXTENDING KEY PINS AND MOVABLY SECURED TO SAID HOUSING COVER AND SAID STORAGE BLOCK, A DUAL PURPOSE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOUSING COVER, SAID STORAGE BLOCK AND SAID KEY SKIRT, A LOCKING PLATE MOVABLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID KEY SKIRT AND SAID STORAGE BLOCK FOR LOCKING SAID KEY PINS IN SELECTIVE RELATIVE POSITIONS TO SAID STORAGE BLOCK, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID DUAL PURPOSE SHAFT. 